[Mission 2024] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS +

PIB SUMMARY 2 September 2023

insightsonindia.com/2023/09/02/mission-2024-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-2-september-2023/

InsightsIAS September 2, 2023

InstaLinks : help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC
prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format
help you frame possible questions ina your mind that might arise(or an examiner
might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their
static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add
new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 2:

1. Simultaneous elections
2. Concerns about RTI Act
3. Omission of disability-related questions from NFHS-6

Content for Mains Enrichment

1. R Ravi Kannan (Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2023)

2. Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

1. Kokborok language
2. Tibetan Democracy Day
3. “Special Session” of Parliament
4. NCERT as Deemed-to-be-University
5. Largest indigenously developed N-plant unit begins operations
6. Chandrayaan-3 takes seismic readings from lunar surface
7. BS 6 Stage II ‘Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle’

Mapping

1. Kigali (Rwanda)

Simultaneous elections

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Elections

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Source: IE, IE

Context: The Government has formed a committee, headed by former President Ram
Nath Kovind, to explore the possibility of “one nation, one election,” which refers to
holding simultaneous Lok Sabha (Parliament) and state assembly elections.

What is one nation, one election (ONOE)?

The concept of “one nation, one election” refers to holding elections to Lok Sabha
and State Legislative Assemblies simultaneously, once in five years.

Background:

Simultaneous elections were held in the country during the first two decades after
Independence up to 1967. The dissolution of certain Assemblies in 1968 and 1969
followed by the dissolution of the Lok Sabha led to the disruption of the conduct of
simultaneous elections.

Benefits of “one nation, one election”

Benefit Description

Reducing Conducting all elections simultaneously minimizes expenses on

Election logistics, security, and campaigning.
Expenditure

Better Simultaneous elections allow elected governments to focus on

Governance governance rather than preparing for the next election. It will help in
streamlining the election cycle to avoid policy disruptions due to
the Model Code of Conduct

Voter Ensures voters are not subjected to multiple rounds of voting,

Convenience leading to better turnout and voter convenience.

Reduced Conducting elections together reduces overall security concerns

Security and enhances security setup across the country.
Concerns

Level Provides a level playing field for all parties and candidates,
Playing Field promoting fairness and transparency in elections.

Reduced Simultaneous elections reduce the impact on the education sector,

Impact on as fewer teachers are involved in the electoral process.
Education

Challenges of “One Nation, One Election”:

Challenge Description

Constitutional Requires constitutional amendments, necessitating consensus

Challenges among political parties and states, a complex and lengthy process.

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 Anti-federal Assembly elections focus on local issues, and combining them
with general elections may overshadow regional narratives.

Logistical Conducting all elections simultaneously involves logistical

challenges arrangements, security deployment, voter rolls, and polling booth
management, leading to administrative difficulties.

Need for approximately 30 lakh electronic voting machines

(EVMs) and voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines

Possibility of Simultaneous elections may favour national parties with more

Domination by resources, potentially marginalizing regional parties and issues.
National Parties

Impact on Voters may struggle to engage with all issues simultaneously,

Democracy potentially leading to uninformed choices and undermining the
democratic process.

Way forward

Recommendation of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice:

A two-phase election schedule, according to which elections to some legislative
assemblies whose term end within six months to one year before or after the
election date could be held during the midterm of Lok Sabha. For the rest of the
states, elections could be held along with the general elections to Lok Sabha.
Cost can be brought under control by ensuring that the legal cap on the
expenditure of candidates is followed by all parties.
Concept of One year, One election will be easier than ONOE, and will have the
same benefits.

International Examples: Simultaneous Elections are successfully held in South

Africa (national and provincial), and Sweden (including local elections as well on the
same day).

Conclusion:

While the idea of “One nation, one election” has its own merits, it is important to consider
the practical challenges and limitations of implementing it. A comprehensive study is
required to examine the feasibility of this concept in India.

Insta Links

One nation, one election

Practice Questions

In view of the idea of holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State
Legislative Assemblies, discuss the advantages that its implementation would lead
to and the concerns that it raises. (250 words)

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Concerns about RTI Act

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Governance

Source: TH

Context: The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, which was initially seen as a powerful
tool for citizens to access government information, is facing concerns about its
effectiveness and transparency

What is the RTI Act?

RTI Act (enacted in 2005) replaced the former Freedom of Information Act, 2002. Under
the provisions of the RTI Act, any citizen of India may request information from a
“public authority“ which is required to reply expeditiously or within thirty days.

Significance of RTI:

The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2nd ARC) lauds the Right to
Information (RTI) as the “master key of good governance.” This legislation marks a
significant paradigm shift, transitioning from the veil of secrecy to the light of
transparency.

Often termed the dawn of a new era in democracy, RTI initiates the second
democratic revolution, empowering citizens to access information crucial for an
informed and accountable governance system.

Success of RTI

Success Details and Impact

Empowering Over 50 lakh RTIs are filed annually, showcasing extensive

Citizens use.

Public offices (90%) proactively share RTI-related

information, promoting openness.

Access to Vital RTI grants access to crucial information like competitive

Information exam answer keys (IIT JEE, Civil Services), ensuring fairness.

Disclosure of property details of public officials helps

prevent conflicts of interest.

Exposing Scams RTI played a pivotal role in uncovering major scams like the
and Corruption Commonwealth Games and 2G spectrum allocations.

Fosters accountability and corrective actions against

wrongdoings.

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 Global Influence The adoption of similar information access laws in Sri
and Inspiration Lanka underscores India’s impactful legal framework.

Reflects India’s positive global influence and effective

governance practices.

Transparency and RTI promotes transparency in diverse sectors and empowers

Anti-Corruption citizens in democratic processes.
Efforts
Recognized by Transparency International for combating
corruption through exposure and accountability.

Areas of Concern with the RTI Act:

Aspects of the Details and Impact

RTI Act

Amendments The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, made significant
amendments to the RTI Act, particularly regarding the disclosure of
personal data.

This change has raised concerns about the impact of social

audits and public officials’ accountability.

Union The Right to Information (Amendment) Act, 2019, granted the

Government’s Union Government unilateral power in deciding the tenure and
Control salaries of information commissioners, affecting their independence.

Rules and The implementation of the RTI Act depends on rules made by the
Appointments Union and State Governments. This can lead to complications, as
states have discretion in deciding payment methods for public
authority fees.

Delayed appointments to information commissions have also

undermined the RTI framework.

Online RTIs While filing RTI applications online has made the process more
accessible, some states lack online portals. The Union
Government’s RTI portal has faced issues, including data loss and
a more complex application process.

Low Dissatisfaction with the RTI system is growing, as more citizens file
Satisfaction first appeals, indicating their dissatisfaction with the information
received from public officials.

Structural Many of the issues faced by the RTI Act stem from institutional
Problems and website-related problems, as well as narrowing avenues to
conveniently file requests and appeals.

Limited The RTI Act’s limitations regarding its applicability to political

Applicability parties, the judiciary, and intelligence agencies have been
subject to debate.

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 Moreover, the Act’s limited applicability to NGOs and private
entities narrows its reach.

Non- Over 26% rejection rate of RTI applications on spurious grounds

compliance as per DoPT data. Appeals processes are delayed

Safety of The safety of RTI activists remains a concern due to instances of

Activists and violence and fatalities. Additionally, the absence of a centralized
Lack of database hampers data access, impacting the Act’s intended
Centralized transparency
Database

Inconsistent Poor record management by Public Information Officers (PIOs)

Record leads to response delays and incomplete information
Management

Grievance Enforcing fines for non-compliance remains weak, with only a 1%

Redressed imposition rate
Backlog

For the Impact of the DPDP Bill on the RTI Act: Click Here

Conclusion:

While the RTI Act initially empowered citizens to seek government information,
concerns have arisen about its diminishing effectiveness due to changes in the law,
bureaucratic processes, and structural issues. These challenges threaten its role in
ensuring transparency and accountability in government operations.

Insta Links:

New draft digital data protection bill: How it compares with the older version and laws
elsewhere

Mains Links:

The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill must ensure that individuals’ personal
data is collected and processed in a manner that respects their privacy rights
under Article 21 of the Indian constitution. Comment.

Omission of disability-related questions from NFHS-6

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Social Justice – Persons With Disabilities

Source: IE

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Context: The decision to omit disability-related questions from the sixth round of the
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) has raised concerns about the
understanding and representation of disability issues in India.

Persons with disabilities make up around 2.21% of the country’s population,

which is approximately 2.68 crore people according to the 2011 Census.

Reasons for under representation of Persons with Disabilities:

The inadequate understanding of the term “disability.”

The government report on ‘Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) in India – A
Statistical Profile: 2021’ only acknowledges eight categories of disabilities,
failing to account for the 21 categories recognized by the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPWDA).
This oversight is particularly concerning for “invisible disabilities,” such as
mental health-related illnesses, which affect nearly 24 lakh persons but are not
adequately addressed in the data.

Issues because of under representation of Persons with Disabilities:

Lack of Accurate Data: Without including questions related to disabilities, it

becomes challenging to gather accurate and up-to-date data on the disabled
population in India.
Invisibility of Invisible Disabilities: Many disabilities, particularly “invisible
disabilities” like mental health conditions, often go unnoticed or unreported. The
omission of questions related to such conditions exacerbates the invisibility of
these disabilities.
Limited Policy Insights: Policies and programs designed to support people with
disabilities may not be comprehensive or targeted effectively without a clear
understanding of the disability landscape.
Exclusion from Development Goals: The United Nations Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) emphasize the inclusion and empowerment of people with disabilities.
Barriers to Accessing Services: People with disabilities often face barriers in
accessing healthcare, education, employment, and social services.
Underreporting of Disabilities: When individuals do not see their specific
disabilities reflected in data collection efforts, they may be less inclined to self-
identify or seek support.
Stigmatization and Discrimination: When disabilities are not recognized or
understood, individuals with disabilities may face exclusion, bias, or negative
stereotypes.
Missed Opportunities: Comprehensive data on disabilities can provide valuable
insights into the diverse needs and experiences of people with disabilities.

Insta Links:

Disability Rights

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Mains Link:

UPSC – 2017

Does the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 ensure effective mechanism
for empowerment and inclusion of the intended beneficiaries in the society?
Discuss.

R Ravi Kannan (Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2023)

Content for Mains Enrichment

Source: Newonair

Dr R Ravi Kannan, a surgical oncologist from Assam, has been honoured with the
Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2023.

He received this prestigious award for his remarkable contributions to transforming

cancer treatment in Assam, particularly through programs that prioritize the welfare of
the people and those with limited means.

Kannan left his practice in Chennai and moved to Assam with his family in 2007 to
provide basic healthcare facilities to the people of Barak Valley through Cachar Cancer
Hospital and Research Centre in Silchar.

Usage: This highlights how values of Dedication, compassion, and Duty towards
public service can take a long way in the betterment of society.

About Ramon Magsaysay Award

It was established in 1957 and is Asia’s prestigious honor named after Ramon
Magsaysay, the Philippines’ third president.

It celebrates individuals and organizations in Asia who excel in their fields and
contribute generously to others without seeking public recognition.
Initially, awards were given in five categories, but since 2009, the foundation has
selected awardees for Emergent Leadership. Recipients receive a certificate, a
medallion featuring Ramon Magsaysay, and a cash prize.
This award is often referred to as Asia’s Nobel Prize counterpart, recognizing
outstanding contributions across diverse domains.

Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton

Content for Mains Enrichment

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Source: Th

Context: The article highlights the enduring legacy of British General and Irrigation
Engineer Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton in the Godavari Delta region of India. In the 1840s,
facing severe drought and famine, Sir Cotton convinced the British government to
build the Dowleswaram anicut on the River Godavari.

Over the years, the Dowleswaram anicut and subsequent developments transformed
the Godavari Delta, turning it into a thriving agricultural region known for rice,
banana, and coconut production.

Usage: You can use the example to show the values of Dedication, Vision,
Humanitarianism, and Service

Kokborok language

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

Context: Over 260 individuals were detained in Tripura during a 12-hour state-wide strike
aimed to

advocate for the adoption of the Roman script for Kokborok, the indigenous
language of the state.

The central issue revolves around the script used for Kokborok, which has been a
decades-old debate in Tripura. While Bengali and Roman scripts have been
used for Kokborok, the demand for Roman script has gained momentum in recent
years.

About Kokborok language:

Kokborok is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by about 1 million people in the state of

Tripura in northeast India.

Kokborok is one of the official languages of Tripura, along with Bengali.

Kokborok is a relatively homogenous language with several dialects spoken in

Tripura. It is the lingua franca of most of the 19 tribal communities of Tripura.

“Special Session” of Parliament

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

9/16
Context: The government has announced a “special session” of Parliament from
September 18 to 22, and this has raised questions about the legislative agenda for the
session.

About the Special session:

The term “special session” is not defined in the Constitution but is often used for
sessions convened for specific occasions or commemorating milestones.

Key points about the parliamentary special session:

Key Points Description

Special The term “special session” may refer to sessions convened for
Sessions specific occasions or purposes, often with limitations on
parliamentary procedures. Presiding officers chair these sessions.

Emergency Article 352 of the Constitution mentions a “special sitting of the

Provisions House” in the context of a Proclamation of Emergency. If Parliament
is not in session, one-tenth of Lok Sabha MPs can request a
special meeting to disapprove the Emergency.

Determining The government, through the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary

Parliamentary Affairs, decides when Parliament meets, including session dates and
Sessions durations.

The President is informed of the Committee’s decisions, and MPs

are summoned for the session.

Constitutional The Constitution mandates that there should not be more than a
Requirement six-month gap between two parliamentary sessions. This
(Article 85) provision was adapted from the Government of India Act of 1935

Parliamentary India does not have a fixed parliamentary calendar. Traditionally,

Calendar Parliament meets for three sessions in a year:
· Budget Session (February-May)

· Monsoon Session (July-August)

· Winter Session (November-December)

Dr. B.R. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar believed in regular parliamentary sessions and
Ambedkar’s rejected proposals for year-round or longer sessions to prevent
Perspective fatigue among legislators.

Frequency of Session frequency has varied over the years. Pre-independence,

Sessions the central assembly met for about 60 days annually, increasing to
120 days in the first two decades after independence.

Efforts to Various recommendations have suggested increasing the number

Increase of sitting days for Parliament, exceeding 100 days annually.
Sitting Days Some private member Bills proposed specific session durations.

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Tibetan Democracy Day

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

Context: Tibetan Democracy Day, celebrated on September 2nd, marks the

establishment of the Tibetan democratic system in exile.

It commemorates the inauguration of the Tibetan government-in-exile in

Dharamshala over six decades ago. The day is known as Mangsto Duchen and
signifies the beginning of Tibetan democracy, governing over 1 lakh Tibetan
refugees worldwide through the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).

Tibetan democratic system:

The Tibetan democratic system evolved with the first elected representatives taking
their oaths in Bodh Gaya in 1960, and the Tibetan constitution, based on democratic
ideals and universal values, was enacted by the Dalai Lama in 1963.

In 1975, the CTA declared September 2nd as the founding day of Tibetan
democracy. The system comprises three pillars of democracy, including the executive
head known as the Sikyong, who took over from the Dalai Lama in 2011.

India maintains a policy of not recognizing a separate government of Tibet in India

but regards the Dalai Lama as a revered religious leader. Tibetans in exile recognize
the CTA as their legitimate government.

NCERT as Deemed-to-be-University

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

Context: Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship,
announced that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
has been granted the status of a Deemed-to-be-University.

This new status as a research university will allow NCERT to engage in global
collaborations and make contributions to the global education landscape.

Further necessities highlighted:

The importance of developing content in the mother tongue and proposed the
establishment of Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Artificial Intelligence
labs in all seven regional canters of NCERT.

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 Equipping these centres with the latest technologies from around the world to
make India a global hub of research and innovation.
Standardize the teacher training curriculum and prepare children for the
challenges of Industrial Revolution 4.0.

Largest indigenously developed N-plant unit begins operations

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

Context: The third unit of the indigenously developed 700-megawatt electric (MWe)
nuclear power reactor at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP3) in Gujarat,
India, has started operations at full capacity.

This marks a significant achievement in India’s civilian nuclear program, as it is

the country’s first 700 MWe unit and represents a scale-up in technology.
The reactor uses Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology and is
seen as a milestone in India’s effort to expand its nuclear power capacity to
22,480 MWe by 2031.
The reactor design also incorporates enhanced safety features, including a
Passive Decay Heat Removal System.

Chandrayaan-3 takes seismic readings from lunar surface

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Hindustan Times

Context: India’s lunar exploration mission, Chandrayaan-3, Vikram lander and

Pragyan rover conducted their first in-situ measurements of the lunar surface.

The detection of seismic activity, which not only registered the rover and
scientific instruments but also captured a “natural event”.

Further findings:

Chandrayaan-3’s RAMBHA-LP payload made the first-ever measurements of the

lunar plasma environment near the south pole.
The assessment revealed relatively sparse plasma near the lunar surface, with
a density ranging from approximately 5 to 30 million electrons per cubic meter,
particularly during the early stages of the lunar daytime.
These measurements are expected to aid in reducing noise in radio wave
communication and contribute to improved designs for future lunar missions.

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 The Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) onboard the Pragyan rover
detected sulphur and other minor elements using a unique technique.

BS 6 Stage II ‘Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle’

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

Context: Toyota Kirloskar Motor has launched the world’s first prototype of a BS 6
Stage II ‘Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle’ in India.

This vehicle combines a flex-fuel engine with an electric powertrain, offering greater use
of ethanol and improved fuel efficiency. It aligns with India’s stricter emission
standards and has the potential to utilize excess ethanol resources.

What are Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) and Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicles?

Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs): It is designed to run on a flexible combination of fuels,

typically gasoline and ethanol. These vehicles are equipped with engines that can
adjust their fuel mixture based on the available fuel blend E.g., E20 (20% ethanol and
80% gasoline) or even higher percentages.

Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicles: They are a more advanced version of FFVs that

offer the advantage of being able to operate on both ethanol-based fuels and
electricity, providing increased fuel efficiency and potentially reducing emissions
compared to traditional gasoline-only vehicles.

Significance:

These vehicles offer higher ethanol use and better fuel efficiency similar to Strong
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (SHEVs)
Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicles use minimal advanced chemistry batteries to reduce
dependence on imports.

Challenges:

Higher cost of ownership and running cost for customers, which may affect
their acceptance unless retail fuel prices are competitive.
Developing FFVs requires significant effort and calibration with multiple fuel
blends, making them less viable without widespread fuel availability.

About Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme (EBPP):

The target of 10% ethanol blending for 2021-22 has already been achieved.

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 The National Policy on Biofuels – 2018 targets 20% blending of ethanol in petrol by
ESY 2025-26.

About Bharat Stage VI (BS VI):

It is a set of emission standards established to regulate the level of air pollutants emitted
from internal combustion and spark-ignition engine equipment.

India has made it mandatory to follow BS-VI emission (from previously BS-IV) norms
starting on April 1, 2020.

BS-VI contains enhanced fuel quality, and reduced the permissible Sulphur content
by 80%, from 50 Parts Per Million (ppm) to a maximum of 10 ppm.

Kigali (Rwanda)

Mapping

Source: PIB

Context: The International Solar Alliance (ISA) conducted its 5th regional meeting in
Kigali, Rwanda.

ISA grants have facilitated the implementation of nine solar power demonstration
projects in Uganda, Comoros, and Mali. These projects included the solarization of
rural healthcare centres and primary schools in these countries.

ISA also launched the SolarX Startup Challenge, promoting entrepreneurship and
clean energy in Africa.
The Global Solar Facility aims to boost innovative solar technologies in Africa
through private investment and guarantees.

Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda. Kigali Genocide Memorial documents the 1994
mass killings in Rwanda, associated with the country’s civil war.

Rwanda is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of Central Africa, where the
African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa converge. Located a few degrees
south of the Equator, Rwanda is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the
Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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